Marsala is a rich, fortified red wine – and much like its namesake, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2015 is earthy, soothing, satisfying and wonderfully robust. Pantone, the world leader in all things to do with colour, recently announced the selection, declaring it “enriches our minds, bodies and souls”. That’s a tall order, but it may in fact be true! Marsala is one of those rare colours that stirs and soothes the senses all at once; it is warm but never overwhelming; it’s sultry but still fresh…
Pantone Colour of the Year. Photo courtesy of pantone.com
What are some fabulous facts about Marsala?
- Marsala is sophisticated. Just a little will instantly make any room more glamorous and elegant.
- Marsala has both feminine and masculine appeal. It’s not too sweet, not too rugged – it pleases (almost) everyone’s sensibilities.
- Marsala is versatile. You can use it in any room, with any décor style and it works well with a diverse range of colours – as a pop against neutrals or in harmony with other shades.
- Marsala matches all skin tones. Yes, we’re talking about décor, not fashion, but don’t you agree it’s clever to decorate in colours that enhance your good looks and make your skin glow?!
What colours work with Marsala?
- Neutrals. Marsala is an amazing accent colour in a primarily neutral room. It pairs with almost any neutral – but is especially beautiful with grey, white, cream, ecru, jute beige and black.
- Contrast. For maximum impact, look to the opposite of the colour wheel. You’ll find shades of green and blue, from olive to lime to denim. Venture a little outside with golds and yellows.
- Side-by-Side. For a more subtle approach, pair Marsala with nearby hues on the colour wheel – pinks, purples and even some reds.
How should you use Marsala in your home?
Most would recommend using Marsala sparingly, but really, it depends on the lighting in your home, the size of the space, the furniture – and most importantly – how fond you are of the colour. It’s very intense, so if you don’t absolutely adore Marsala, don’t go overboard. Here are some ideas to add Marsala to your home:
- With Wood. Marsala works with all woods, whether in furniture or flooring. It’s especially elegant against dark woods, but be sure to keep things lively by adding pale shades in fabrics, etc.
- One Gorgeous Piece. Good furniture is an investment, so I usually recommend buying neutrals. But buying one piece in a spectacular colour like Marsala can totally uplift a room. How about a chaise, accent chair or hassock? If you’re not sold on solid Marsala, look for it in patterns.
- One Wall. You can paint a whole room in Marsala, but the effect is very powerful. If you have high ceilings and lots of natural light, go for it – otherwise limit it to an accent wall or in a fun space like the powder room.
- Accessories. I promise that you will see Marsala in myriad décor items over the upcoming months. Look for pillows, linens, curtains, art, candles, etc. Again, apply sparingly. This colour is very rich.
- Textured Surfaces. One of most exciting properties of Marsala is that it looks even more exciting when textured – choose it for rugs, nubby silks and upholstery.
